Autothermal reformer-reforming exchanger arrangement for hydrogen production

Abstract

Low-energy, low-capital hydrogen production is disclosed. A reforming exchanger 14 is placed in parallel with an autothermal reformer (ATR) 10 to which are supplied a preheated steam-hydrocarbon mixture. An air-steam mixture is supplied to the burner / mixer of the ATR 10 to obtain a syngas effluent at 650°-1050° C. The effluent from the ATR is used to heat the reforming exchanger, and combined reformer effluent is shift converted and separated into a mixed gas stream and a hydrogen-rich product stream. High capital cost equipment such as steam-methane reformer and air separation plant are not required.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of our earlier provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 320,015, filed Mar. 18, 2003.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to the production of a synthesis gas (syngas) using an autothermal reactor (ATR) and a reforming exchanger.[0003]Reforming of hydrocarbons is a standard process applying a plurality of generally endothermic reactions for the production of hydrogen-containing synthesis gas used for manufacturing ammonia or methanol, for example. A conventional autothermal reforming reactor (ATR) is a form of steam reformer including a catalytic gas generator bed with a specially designed burner / mixer to which preheated hydrocarbon gas, air or oxygen, and steam are supplied. Partial combustion of the hydrocarbon in the burner supplies heat necessary for the reforming reactions that occur in the catalyst bed below the burner to form a mixture of mostly steam, hydrogen, carbon monoxide (CO...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention uses a reforming exchanger in parallel with an autothermal reactor (ATR) in a new hydrogen plant with reduced capital costs, reduced energy requirements, greater ease of operation, and reduced NOx and

Problems solved by technology

Disadvantages of commercial ATR processes are the capital costs, operating difficulties, and plot area requirements associated with the air separation unit (ASU), especially where operating personnel and plot area are limited or other factors make an ASU undesirable.

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